I am not considering this right now but after reading all the posts about some not liking a 20" H-Bar I wondered how hard it is to change a barrel? I am very new to AR15s, but I know what is involved in changing a barrel on a Mauser, or other, bolt action. I also know how easy it is to change a barrel on a Ruger 10/22. My Colt has a 20" H-Bar. If I change it I would look at a 16" barrel but be tempted to stay with a heavy barrel, or go with a medium weight barrel. I don't think I would like a lightweight but having never used one I may be wrong. Anyway, how hard is an AR barrel change? Can I use my existing B/BC/CH and the rest of the upper, so my only cost would be the barrel? Thanks, Jim

Jim,If you have a 20" HBAR you have 2 options.1) Turn the barrel down to A2 profile (it will save 1lbs of weight and will be noticably lighter).

or 2) Change the barrel.

Changing a barrel isn't hard if you have the tools. All it takes is a vice, barrel or receiver block, barrel wrench, torque wrench, pin punch, some moly disulfide grease (w/o graphite), and a copy of the -23 (free from this site). Not a difficult job at all if you mechanically inclined. Should take 15-20 minutes if you go slow and follow the -23 step by step. With practice/experience it only takes a couple of minutes.

Thanks for the link! Forest, I have a very good friend who retired from the Air Force, as an armorer. He said he still has all his tools. I also have a mill and a lathe. I'll figure something out. I was asking because to change a bolt actions barrel requires reaming the final chamber for headspacing. I didn't think that would be an issue, but asking is free. Thanks, Jim

if the barrel is as you would like it except for the profile you'd be better served by having the barrel re profiled, COLT barrels are damn good and damn expensive so if you could keep it an use it you'll be ahead. OTOH if you have to change out the FSB or turn and thread the muzzle then you're better off with a new barrel.

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